Concealed key receptacle for doors



Nov. 29, 1938. T, E OX 2,138,416

CONCEALED KEY REGEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Sept. 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet lI z L Z Zinncntor THO/VASE Cox Nov. 29, 1938. T. E, cox 2,138,416

CONCEALED KEY RECEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Sept. 13, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2u attorney s Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED- STATES.

@P'ATENT OFFICE.

2.138.416 QQNCEALED KEY RECEPTACLE'FOR noons Thomas E. Cox, Birmingham,Ala- Application September 13, 1937, Serial No 163,644

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved receptacle for keys adaptedto be mounted in the door or door frame in inconspicuous position whenthe door is open, and in concealed position 5 when the door is closed.

The chief object of my invention is to devise a simple, inexpensive andreadily formed or attached receptacle in which a door key, when not inuse, can be kept always accessible and yet concealed.

One distinctive feature of my invention is that the receptacle is formedor placed at an upward incline so that the key will slip out by gravitywhen the slide door for the receptacle is opened.

A further distinctive feature of my invention lies in the fact that theslide door is so designed and mounted that in its closed position, withthe key pressing against it, it will shift outward and stand flush withits facing plate, thus simulating a lock element for the door, but onpressing the slide in, it can be readily slipped up to release the key.

My invention in one form contemplates forming the key receptacle byboring or cutting outa suitable recess inthe door stile.

My invention further contemplates the use of a casing to be set into thedoor jamb, either as a separate element or in association with the slidedoor plate so its presence will be less noticeable.

My invention further contemplates the novel details of construction andarrangements of parts, which are hereinafter more particularlydescribed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, in which:--

Fig. 1 shows my invention in front elevation mounted in the edge of thedoor stile.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the stile and key recess,showing the door plate in side elevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail front and side views, the latter partly brokenaway, of the slide door plate.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of the key receptacle seated inthe door jamb.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the key receptacle and slidedoor plate.

Fig. 7 is an end view, and Fig. 8 a partial plan view of the slide doorused in both forms of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross section of the slide door plate taken above the doorand showing the latter outwardly displaced to close flush the dooropenns in the pla Similar reference numerals refer to similar partsthroughout the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, I showthe key receptacle formed in the door, preferablyin its stile l0immediately abOVB the look I l. I form in any convenient way in the edgeof the stile a narrow hole or recess which s ched ar l at an in e ar- 10proximating 45. This is preferably a narrow rec s am ly wide ec i an orin .0 1 key l3. To close the open end of this recess I provide a slidingdoor closure 20 comprising an outer, or face plate is adapted to beseated flush in the edge of the door stile and provided with avertically elongated slot 15 in which the sliding closure operates. Thestock displaced to form this slot is left attached at the bottom end andis bent to extend up into the hole and forms 20 a slide bottom 16 forthe open end of the key recess [2. A guide plate I! is mounted on theback of the face plate l4 and is formed with side flanges 18, whichengage and space it from, the back of Plate M, and with end flanges l9which close the ends of the slide way in which the 7 vertically movablesliding closure works. I form a slot 23 in plate ll corresponding to theopening l5 in the front plate and the slide strip l6 extends throughthis slot 23 into the recess I2 and prevents the key hanging between theplates I4 and I1. The door, as shown clearly in Figs.

7 and 8, has its central portion 20 raised and conforming in size to theopening l5 in the facing plate M. This raised center 20 is offset fromits side flanges 2| to an extent equal to the thickness of the faceplate I4. Thus, in its lowered position the slide is adapted to shiftoutwardly so that its center 26 stands flush with, and closes theopening in the face plate l4. At its lower end the slide is formed witha very short lug or projection 22, just sufi'icient for the nail of afinger to catch under and lift the closure. By pressing inwardly againstthe closure it is displaced inwardly from its flush position into 5engagement with the guide plate I! when it stands free to move upwardlyin the slide way. When slid up to full open position the closurereleases the key to slide out automatically into the hand of theoperator. The door will close by gravity when released and when a key isin the pocket its endwise pressure against the closure will hold it inits flush position in plate M, in which it closely resembles a latchelement of the door lock. Screw holes 24 are formed through the ends ofboth plates I4 and I1 and may be punched so as to interlock the-platestogether, or they may be spot welded or riveted.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 I show ametallic key receptacle 25 associated with the closure elements 26 and21, similar to M and I1, but here the plate is set into the door jamb 28immediately above the keeper 29. The opening I5 is similar to that inthe facing plate l4, and the open end of the receptacle is fittedagainst the guide plate I! and may be secured thereto if desired in anysuitable way. Due to the fact that the jamb is not thick enough toenable the key receptacle to be formed therein, it is necessary toutilizethis metallic receptacle 25 formed of any suitable material andits lower bottom edge is formed into a downturned flange 30 which hooksover the bottom of slot 23 in the plate 21. The seat cut in the jamb 28snugly receives the back plate 27, the face plate 26, and thereceptacle, and these parts may be left separate and made fast in anysuitable way in the jamb, or all may be assembled before they aremounted. As shown the elements by the key in current use, the extra keyis also for said recess comprising a sliding door and concealed guidestherefor, the inclination of said recess being such that the key slidesout by gravity.

3. A receptacle for door keys comprising a means defining an upwardlyinclined key-receiving recess in a door element, a sliding closure forsaid recess and comprising a face plate seated flush in the door elementand having an aperture, a closure guide'on the back of said plate, thesliding closure being adapted'in closed position to shift bodilyoutwardly into said aperture and assume a position flush with the outerface of said face plate in response to the pressure of a key in saidinclined recess.

4. A receptacle according to claim 1, in which the closure comprises anouter apertured plate having a portion thereof bent back into positionto'form an inclined bottom slide for the key recess.

5. A key receptacle comprising'in'combination with a slide door platehaving a door opening, a slide door, a back plate forming a verticalslide guide for said door and having anopening opposite said dooropening, and .a key receptacle mounted behind said back plate inregister with its opening and disposed at a sharp upward inclination.

6. A key receptacle according to claim 5, in which the receptacle has anopen end engaging the back plate and provided with a bottom flangeadapted to engage over the bottom edge of the opening in said backplate.

- THOMAS E. COX.

